Occasional stress happens to everyone at some point in their lifetime. Stress is your body’s reaction to dealing with challenging situations, demands, events or changes (positive and negative). Stress is your body’s built-in mechanism for dealing with life’s scenarios, in which your body produces mental and physical responses to help adjust to the change.

When you face a challenging circumstance or event your body triggers the “fight or flight” response, which releases hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) to help you respond. What causes stress varies from person to person, and everyone responds differently to stressful situations. Some common causes of stress include work, financial burdens, relationships, moving or traumatic events.

While you can’t always control certain events, you can take steps to help manage your stress. Consider physical activity like yoga, walking or a light jog to help you release endorphins. You can also try relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing or listening to calming music. Try penciling in some time with friends or family to get in some laughs to help improve your mood. Importantly, don’t hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider about stress management options that work for you.